FAQ

The category. There is no national brand that has claimed gourmet grilled cheese. Melty is the first mover in a segment with massive consumer affinity and no dominant competitor. Add a simpler operation than most fast casual concepts, a personality-packed brand with strong social media appeal, and dedicated franchise support — and you have something worth being early on.

Restaurant experience is a plus, but it's not required. What we look for is people-first leadership, a willingness to follow a proven system, and the drive to build something. Our training program and Business Coach model are designed to get owners who are new to the restaurant industry up to speed — and keep them there.

We require a minimum net worth of $400,000 and liquid capital of $90,000–$100,000. These requirements ensure franchisees are positioned to succeed — undercapitalized owners face unnecessary stress that affects both their business and their quality of life.

From signed Franchise Agreement to Grand Opening typically takes 6–9 months, depending on site availability, local permitting timelines, and construction. Your Business Coach will give you a project-specific timeline at the start of the process.

Semi-absentee ownership is possible for the right operator — typically someone who has run a business (preferably a restaurant) before, has a strong general manager in place, and has completed the full training program. This is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We want every location to be operated with the level of care that the brand deserves.

Yes — and we actively encourage it. Multi-unit development agreements are available, with reduced franchise fees for second and subsequent units ($34,500 for the second unit, $29,000 for each additional unit). Multi-unit developers also get preferential territory assignment and dedicated development support.

Your Business Coach is a dedicated point of contact who coordinates every major milestone of your store opening — from site selection and lease negotiation to contractor management, equipment ordering, licensing, and grand opening planning. It's not a hotline. It's a human being who knows your project and is accountable to your timeline.

Ongoing support includes regular check-ins from your support team, access to updated training materials and new menu rollouts, marketing and local advertising guidance, and access to the Melty franchisee network. Additional on-site training is available as needed.

Melty Franchising, LLC is working to register in all applicable states. Franchise offerings are subject to state registration requirements. Contact us to confirm current registration status in your state before proceeding. [Legal: update this answer to reflect current registration status.]

We provide our FDD to qualified candidates as part of the franchise evaluation process — before any commitment is made. You'll have a minimum of 14 days to review it with your attorney and accountant before signing anything. Request your FDD through our Get Started form.